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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Production Journal: Toñita Runs Away (Magic is a bitch.)

I’m dying with anticipation.The film lab just called to let me know my hard drive is ready for pick
up.I’ve only shot super 16mm before and
have always supervised the telecine transfer.This is the first time I’m not present during the transfer because it’s
super 8. It’s a magical moment akin to
seeing the image appear as soon as you submerge the photographic paper in the
Dektol.Except there’s a lot of relief
involved too.When you shoot film you
have to trust you got the shot and hope for the best.You can’t have magic without the fear of
failure.There’s no magic in shooting
video.

I did a lot of hoping for the best this past weekend while
running around from location to location under the hot sun with a posse of
children and only my assistant director to help me. With a few exceptions, I’ve always been lucky
with the quality of my crew.The good
ones are worth several people and this was no exception.She had never been involved in a film shoot,
but she’s a really bossy lady and as a result a natural born AD. She’s screwed because now that I know what she’s
capable of, I will be calling upon her again and again.She repeatedly said she had no idea
filmmaking was so grueling but that she would help me again.

We only shot six hours but it felt like three
days.(Take note: working with kids will
do that.)It’s a different dynamic that
feels like you’re walking on a mine field.One moment they’re into it and the next they’re whining that they’re
tired and want to go home.They can shut
down any minute and, if they do, you’re fucked.One of them wanted to take over the direction and kept on telling me
what to do. He also wanted the starring role. And while we were shooting the opening
sequence one of the little girls kept on asking when SHE was going to be in the
scene. Actors.

Trained actors know the language.It’s easier to communicate.With non-professionals you constantly have to
think of ways to make them understand what you want and how to deliver it.It’s difficult and you can’t let it get to
you.I did a few times and I deeply
regret it.The crazy, amazing thing is
that as the shoot progressed, the cast began to understand the process and
language of filmmaking.They eventually
started to deliver and, most importantly, to ask questions.They became engaged and it was wonderful to
experience.﻿

The stars: Caro and Chunga

Towards the end, it was mostly method
acting.The characters were supposed to
be tired, thirsty, hot and fed up.They
were.I was surprised that it was the younger
cast members who had an easier time performing.The teenage kids were incredibly self-conscious and it was a battle to
get them to deliver one single emotion in a close up.I fired the oldest one after I yelled at him
in front of everybody.Later he told a
third party that I was a bad director because I couldn’t make him do what I wanted.He’s right.I cast him.Ninety percent of
directing is casting.I should have
worked it out instead of losing my patience.It was a hard lesson to learn, but I will never forget it.

Canine Cast

As I anticipated, I didn’t need a script.I had to go off the outline a few times
because of location needs and certain opportunities that presented
themselves.It turned out that the town
(San Antonio de las Minas) was celebrating their yearly celebration, or Fiestas
Patronales.The main event was the rodeo
which happened to be just up the road from where I was staying.I rewrote my ending and set it at the rodeo.I hope none of the cowboys or horses looked
into the camera.It was weird, but no
one in the tiny town seemed to care that we were running around shooting.It was as if we weren’t even there.﻿

It was stressful and it was a blast.Mistakes were made.By me.When I went to the lab on Tuesday I noticed one of the cartridges was
color film.What the fuck.I was handed color film and I didn’t even notice
it.No biggie. Desaturation is easy. However, the first roll was not exposed to the
end and I have no idea what happened.Obviously the camera was working because the other rolls were exposed
but I just don’t remember.I may be
missing shots and that’s a big fuck up.I just hope they’re not crucial shots and I can rework it in the
editing.

Campechana

Tomorrow morning I pick up my footage and I won’t
know what I have until I get home from work.I’m anxious, excited and afraid.I
put myself in this situation.Good or
bad, it’s still magic.And there’s no
growth without pain. Right?